What Is Muscle Confusion?

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I recently heard a client say, “I need more muscle confusion. I am getting used to all of the exercises here. My muscles aren’t getting confused, so I’m not getting stronger.”

This statement made me realize that “muscle confusion” is a widely misunderstood concept in fitness, thanks to celebrity trainers like Tony Horton from P90X. Understanding the meaning of “muscle confusion” may help you keep safe and avoid making some very common mistakes at the gym.

Can Muscles Be “Confused”?

First of all, our muscles do not get “confused.” Better yet, our muscles do not make “memories” — our brain makes memories and our muscles adapt because of it.

“Muscle Confusion” is a marketing gimmick capitalized on by many gyms and trainers over the last 5-10 years. OUR BRAIN is responsible for sending electrical signals to our muscles, causing muscular contraction. As we repeat this pattern of sending an electrical signal many times, our brain becomes more efficient at synchronizing and recruiting muscle fibers, making us muscularly fit–hence the term “muscle memory”. Exercise technique is a learned skill through repetition.

Muscle Confusion as It Relates to Exercise

Muscle confusion workouts, such as P90X, operate under the theory that, by constantly changing movements, our bodies will be forced to respond. Not only can this way of exercise be less effective, it can be dangerous. We do not want our muscles to be “confused,” we want them to ADAPT. Most exercise injuries occur when our bodies fail to adapt to a certain stress. Once our bodies have adapted to a new stress, it is appropriate to increase the intensity of a workout (progressive overload). This takes weeks, sometimes months and it certainly takes more than one workout.

Why Is It Called Muscle Confusion?

Muscle confusion sells. There is no other explanation.

Anyone using the term “muscle confusion” does so only because it will sell. In order to make significant gains, you need a planned progression. Trainers often mistake muscle confusion with a planned progression we call “periodization.” “Periodization” means to have specific training objectives and variations throughout a training cycle to maximize adaptations. This variation is planned and systematic; it is not designed in any way to be “confusing.” In fact, if your body gets “confused,” it is much more likely to do nothing at all than to adapt.

Can I Make Significant Gains Repeating the Same Exercises?

Yes, in fact it’s the ONLY way to do it. Like I previously mentioned, as you perform an exercise repeatedly, your brain starts to synchronize and recruit muscle fibers more efficiently. As you raise the intensity of that particular exercise (increase load, increase repetitions or decrease rest intervals), your body will continually adapt to the stress. Eventually you will reach your genetic potential, at which point simply maintaining is an appropriate goal (though most people will never train at a frequency or intensity to hit that mark).

Is So Called “Muscle Confusion” Important for My Weight Loss Goals?

No. I know that goes against everything you have seen on TV or read in the latest issue of your fitness magazine, but any educated fitness professional will say the same thing. Nonlinear periodization progressions are important for general muscular fitness, athletes and body builders, but you do not have to go through these phases to shed fat mass. Your focus should be on calorie expenditure, large muscle exercises, and perfect form. Switching between weight lifting, cardio, “plyometrics,” and yoga (to lose weight) does not allow your body to adapt; often leading to an injury. Squats, lunges, push-ups, rows, and crunches can be labeled boring, but when it comes to your weight loss goals, they are effective.

Take Away Message

Continually changing your workout plan in fear of a plateau is a very common mistake. In reality, plateaus come from an individual’s failure to progressively overload their muscles and push themselves to new limits. As you lose weight and get leaner, it becomes harder to continue the trend. This makes sense because if it were linear, eventually we would have no body fat (which makes us dead). Diet also plays a critical role in continually making progress. Amount of calories, quality of calories, and nutrient timing can propel you through a plateau if you are diligent and take the time to food log. Attempting to “confuse” your muscles from day to day is not the answer. It’s time we expose the marketing gimmick that is “Muscle Confusion.”

 

About the Author:

  • Michael Stack is the founder & CEO of Applied Fitness Solutions and Frontline Fitness Pros. He is a faculty lecturer for the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology. He is also the creator and the host of the Wellness Paradox Podcast, produced in conjunction with University of Michigan.

    Michael is an exercise physiologist by training and a health entrepreneur, health educator, and fitness industry advocate by trade. He is dedicated to enhancing the standard of practice of, and advocating for, fitness and wellness professionals to ensure they become an essential constituent in the healthcare delivery system.

    With a career spanning over three decades in fitness, health, and wellness Michael has a deep knowledge of exercise physiology, health/wellness coaching, lifestyle interventions to mitigate chronic disease and leadership. He is credentialed through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as an Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP), Exercise is Medicine practitioner (ASCM-EIM), and a Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (ACSM-PAPHS). Michael is a National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and a CDC Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Lifestyle Coach.

    Michael received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology in 2004 and is currently a Master’s of Public Health (MPH) candidate at University of Michigan, with a specific concentration in health behavior and health education.

    Michael is a board of directors’ member for the Physical Activity Alliance and Michigan Fitness Clubs Association. He sits on the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology Alumni Board of Governors. Michael is an expert curriculum reviewer for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Finally, he is a member of the executive leadership team for American Heart Association’s Heart Walk.

    Michael lectures nationally for several health/fitness certification and continuing educations, including; IHRSA, the Medical Fitness Association, the National Strength & Conditioning Association, and SCW Fitness.

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